Saudi Arabia Reportedly Leading Joint Bid for 2030 World Cup

Saudi Arabia is reportedly leading a joint bid with Egypt and Greece to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The Middle Eastern country, which recently expressed interest in hosting the Olympics, would reportedly pay for or contribute to Egypt’s and Greece’s infrastructure costs.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino reportedly likes the idea due to the inclusion of an African nation.

• If the joint bid is successful, the World Cup would be played in the winter to avoid extreme summer temperatures, like the 2022 edition in Qatar later this year.
• An announcement is imminent, according to The Times.

The bid would go up against a joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay, as well as one from Spain and Portugal that has support from several soccer executives.

“I am sure that the 2030 World Cup will be played in Spain and Portugal,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin recently said. “This bid is a winning one, and we will do everything possible to help two countries that are passionate, live and breathe football, and that have a good infrastructure.”

Saudi Sports

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund purchased Premier League club Newcastle United for $409 million in 2021 and backs LIV Golf, which has attracted dozens of the world’s top golfers.

Last year, the country hosted its first Formula 1 Grand Prix.